150 AutoCAD Command and Shortcut List With PDF

AutoCAD Commands – The Essential List

Hello there. We probably don’t have to tell you that AutoCAD is one of the leading CAD programs available on the market today. Whether the computer-aided design is in your life as a business or a hobby, it’s likely you rank this particular software fairly highly (if not the top) in terms of its design capabilities.

If you’ve taken the plunge and purchased it for yourself, you’ll soon find that it takes time to get to grips with everything AutoCAD has to offer. The sophistication of the technology, advanced user interface and sheer range of available tools can, understandably, be a little overwhelming at first.

For this article, we’re going to assume that you’ve had the opportunity to play around with AutoCAD, get comfortable with the interface and establish which tools will be most useful for your particular line of work.

Got the basics firmly under your belt? Great! Now it’s time to take advantage of the AutoCAD commands. Yes, the folks behind the software know that there’s a lot to take in, so they created handy shortcuts that enable you to navigate the controls with ease. Once a few of these commands become second nature, you’ll be producing work in the most efficient way possible.

About AutoCAD

AutoCAD is the flagship product of the software company Autodesk. Created in 1982 to enable the production of high-quality 2D and 3D technical drawings, it was actually the first CAD software developed for PCs.

Though initially designed to cater to the mechanical engineering industry, the capabilities of AutoCAD have since expanded to suit a wide range of professionals including architects and animators.

If you don’t have AutoCAD installed on your pc, Download & Install AutoCAD 2019 (32 + 64 bit) from here.

Today, AutoCAD is considered to be one of the leading design programs available and has grown to be the most widely used CAD software out there. With new applications facilitating mobile-friendly options and use of cloud storage services, the software continues to evolve by integrating technological advancements.

What is AutoCAD commands?

At the bottom of the drawing screen in AutoCAD, you’ll find the command window. Trust us: this handy little box is a lifesaver when you have lots of work to do and you’re up against a deadline.

In the most basic terms, commands and shortcuts are words or letters that you type into the command window to produce an action. For example, if you wish to draw an arc, rather than searching for an arc among the tools, you could just use a command. In this case, type ‘ARC‘ or even ‘A‘ into the command window, press Enter, and an arc will appear.

Some commands come with shortcuts (a single letter alternative), while actions that are a little less common tend to require a command that is 3 or more letters long. AutoCAD recognizes hundreds of commands and, once you get more advanced, you can even customize the toolbar—adding or prioritizing the commands you find to be the most useful.

(See Also: Some Important Software Used In Civil Engineering)

This guide lists AutoCAD shortcuts in groups according to the command sequence. For example, all text relevant shortcuts are grouped together.

Notes:

1. Generally, a shortcut prefixed with ” -“ will suppress the associated dialogue from appearing.
2. Some of the following shortcuts only work with AutoCAD Old Versions.
3. Not all of the shortcuts listed work with AutoCAD LT.

AutoCAD Command Shortcuts

BLOCKS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
ATT	ATTDEF	Opens attribute definition dialogue box
ATTEDIT	ATTEDIT	Edit attribute values for a specific block
B	BLOCK	Opens block dialogue box in order to make a block
BATTMAN	BATTMAN	Opens block attribute manager
BATTORDER	BATTORDER	Displays attribute order dialogue box
BC	BCLOSE	Closes the block editor
BCOUNT	BCOUNT	Counts the blocks in a drawing
BE	BEDIT	Opens the edit block definition dialogue box
EATTEXT	EATTEXT	Enhanced attribute extraction wizard to count blocks
GATTE	GATTE	Global attribute edit of multiple blocks
I	INSERT	Opens insert dialogue to insert a block
-I	INSERT	Insert a block by name
MINSERT	MINSERT	Insert block in rectangular array
REFEDIT	REFEDIT	Edit a block reference in place
REN	RENAME	Opens rename dialogue box to rename blocks, layers, etc
W	WBLOCK	Write a block - for use in other drawings
XLIST	XLIST	Lists type/block name/layer name/color/linetype of a
		nested object in a block or an xref

TIPS:

1. Create a new block on layer 0 so that the block will use the layer and properties of the current
   layer it is inserted on. Text can be set to colour white.
2. Set ATTDIA to 1 to use dialogue box with block attributes or 0 to use the command line.
3. AutoCAD 2006 allows you to change the insertion point on the fly. INSERT and select
   BASEPOINT. This allows you to pick anywhere in the drawing (and anywhere in the block you
   are inserting) as your new insertion point (base point).

COMMON COMMANDS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
A	ARC	Draw an arc
AL	ALIGN	Align an object with another
AP	APPLOAD	Opens application load dialogue box
AR	ARRAY	Opens array dialogue box
AUDIT	AUDIT	Audit drawing for errors
AV	DSVIEWER	Opens ariel view of drawing
B	BLOCK	Opens block dialogue box
C	CIRCLE	Draw a circle
CO	COPY	Copy an object
CHA	CHAMFER	Chamfer between 2 non-parallel lines
COL	COLOR	Opens select color dialogue box
CUI	Opens customise user interface dialogue
D	DIMSTYLE	Opens dimstyle manager
DC	ADCENTER	Opens designcenter
DI	DIST	Check a distance
DIV	DIVIDE	Inserts point node a set division
DO	DONUT	Draw a solid donut shape
DV	DVIEW	Perspective view
E	ERASE	Erase a selection
EX	EXTEND	Extend a selection
F	FILLET	Draw an arc between 2 intersecting lines
FI	FILTER	Opens filter dialogue box
FLATTEN	FLATTEN	Converts 3D to 2D
G	GROUP	Launches the group dialogue box
H	HATCH	Opens hatch and gradient dialogue box
I	INSERT	Insert a block
IM	IMAGE	Launches image manager
J	JOIN	Joins 2 objects to form single object
JPGOUT	JPGOUT	Creates a JPEG file of current drawing
L	LINE	Draw a line
LA	LAYER	Opens layer manager
LE	QLEADER	Draw a leader line (may need to adjust settings)
LEAD	LEADER	Leader line with annotation
LI or LS	LIST	Display information about objects in a text window
LO	-LAYOUT	Creates a new layout tab
LTS	LTScale	Change the linetype scale
M	MOVE	Move a selection
MA	MATCHPROPERTIES	Match properties of an object
ME	MEASURE	Inserts point node at input distance
O	OFFSET	Offset a selection
OP	OPTIONS	Launches options dialogue box
P	PAN	Pan in drawing
PE	POLYEDIT	Edit a polyline
PL	PLINE	Draw a polyline
PLOT	PLOT	Opens plot/print dialogue box
PO	POINT	Point marker or node - DDPTYPE to change pointstyle
PR	PROPERTIES	Opens properties dialogue box
PRE	PREVIEW	Preview a plot
PU	PURGE	Opens purge dialogue box to remove unused elements
RE	REGEN	Regenerate the display
REC	RECTANG	Draw a rectangle
REN	RENAME	Opens rename dialogue box to rename blocks, layers, etc
RO	ROTATE	Rotate a selection
SP	SPELL	Spell check a selection - ALL to check entire drawing
T	MTEXT	Insert multiline text
TB	TABLE	Opens insert a table dialogue box
TP	TOOLPALETTES	Displays toolpalette
TR	TRIM	Trim a selection
U	UNDO	Undo last command
UN	UNITS	Opens units dialogue box
V	VIEW	Opens view dialogue box
W	WBLOCK	Write a block
WHOHAS	WHOHAS	Displays who has a drawing open
X	EXPLODE	Explode a selection
XR	XREF	Opens x-reference manager
Z	ZOOM	Zoom in display - A=All, E=EXTENTS, W=WINDOW

CONTROL KEYS

CTRL+0	CLEANSCREEN	Turns user interface elements on/off
CTRL+1	PROPERTIES	Turns properties on/off
CTRL+2	ADCENTER	Turns design center on/off
CTRL+3	TOOLPALETTES	Turns tool palettes window on/off
CTRL+8	QUICKCALC	Launches calculator window
CTRL+A	Select all
CTRL+C	COPYCLIP	Copies objects to clipboard
CTRL+H	Turns a group on or off
CTRL+J	Repeats last command
CTRL+N	NEW	Opens create new drawing dialogue box
CTRL+O	OPEN	Opens the select file dialogue box
CTRL+P	PLOT	Opens the plot dialogue box
CTRL+R	CVPORT	Switches between viewports
CTRL+S	QSAVE	Opens the save drawing as dialogue box
CTRL+SHIFT+	Save as
S
CTRL+V	PASTECLIP	Pastes data from clipboard to drawing
CTRL+X	CUTCLIP	Removes select object from drawing to clipboard
CTRL+Y	REDO	Performs the operation cancelled by UNDO
CTRL+Z	UNDO	Undoes the last operation
CTRL+TAB	Switches between open drawings
CTRL+PAGE	Switch up between layout tabs
UP
CTRL+PAGE	Switch down between layout tabs
DOWN
ARROW	Recall last command
UP/Down

COORDINATE ENTRY

#X,Y	Location measured by distance from 0,0 in current UCS
@X,Y	Location measured by distance from last point
#distance	Location measured by distance and angle from 0,0 in current UCS
@distance	Location measured by distance and angle from last point
e
.x or.y or .xy etc	Location by extracting and combining coordinate values from 2 or 3 points
distance	Location direct from current position in direction of movement
	An angle override from current point

DIMENSIONING

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
CTRL+8	QUICKCALC	Displays the calculator
D	DIMSTYLE	Opens dimension style manager dialogue box
DAL	DIMALIGNED	Aligned linear dimension line
DAN	DIMANGULAR	Angular dimension line
DAR	DIMARC	Arc length dimension
DBA	DIMBASELINE	Ordinate dimension from baseline of previous dimension
DCO	DIMCONTINUE	Ordinate dimension from 2 nd extension line of previous
		dimension
DDI	DIMDIAMETER	Diameter dimension for circles and arcs
DED	DIMEDIT	Edit dimension text on dimension objects
DI	DIST	Check a distance
DIMCENTER	DIMCENTER	Creates center mark
DLI	DIMLINEAR	Linear dimension
DOR	DIMORDINATE	Ordinate point dimension
DOV	DIMOVERRIDE	Override dimension style
DRA	DIMRADIUS	Radial dimension for circles and arcs
ID	ID	Display the co-ordinate values of a point
UN	UNITS	Opens drawing units dialogue box

DRAWING OBJECTS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
A	ARC	Draw an arc with 3 points
B	BLOCK	Opens block dialogue box in order to make a block
BO	BOUNDARY	Draw a boundary
C	CIRCLE	Draw a circle
DO	DONUT	Draw a solid donut shape
DT	TEXT	Single line text
DIV	DIVIDE	Inserts point node a set division
EL	ELLIPSE	Draw an ellipse
F	FILLET	Draw an arc between 2 intersecting lines
G	GROUP	Opens object grouping dialogue
H	HATCH	Opens hatch and gradient dialogue box
L	LINE	Draw a line
LE	QLEADER	Draw a leader line (may need to adjust settings)
LEAD	LEADER	Leader line with annotation
ML	MLINE	Draw multilines
O	OFFSET	Offset an object by distance
PL	PLINE	Draw a polyline - a complex line
PO	POINT	Point marker or node - DDPTYPE to change pointstyle
POL	POLYGON	Draw a regular polygon 3 to 1024 sides
RAY	RAY	Construction line in one direction
REC	RECTANG	Draw a rectangle
REG	REGION	Region - for shading for example
REVCLOUD	REVCLOUD	Revision cloud - note can select a polyline
SPL	SPLINE	Spline or smooth curve along points
T	MTEXT	Multi-line text
WIPEOUT	WIPEOUT	Masks part of drawing for clarity
XL	XLINE	Construction line of infinite length

TIP:

1. Use the PO to create node point – if you do not see anything try changing the node properties DDPTYPE.
2. Alternatively set PDMODE to 3 to display an X at id point set PDMODE to 0 to clear.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE – XREF

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
REFEDIT	REFEDIT	Edit an external reference in place
XA	XATTACH	Opens select reference file dialogue for attaching Xref
XB	XBIND	Opens Xbind dialogue - allows import only of symbols etc
XC	XCLIP	Create a border in an xref to hide outside area
XOPEN	XOPEN	Opens a selected xref in a new window
XR	XREF	Opens Xref manager dialogue box

TIP:

1. Using RELATIVE PATH to find the Xref file relative to the existing location can be a benefit if files are moved between locations or sent to others.
2. OVERLAID should be used in place of ATTACH if 2 drawings share a common Xref, eg a mechanical drawing could be overlaid an electrical drawing to prevent the building outline ‘appearing’ twice.

NOTES:

1. If a drawing has an Xref, the status bar will show the Manage Xref icon.

FORMATTING

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
AP	APPLOAD	Opens application load dialogue box
BE	BEDIT	Opens the edit block definition dialogue box
BH	BHATCH	Opens hatch and gradient dialogue box
CUI	Opens customise user interface dialogue
D	DIMSTYLE	Opens dimension style manager dialogue box
DC	ADCENTER	Opens designcenter
DDPTYPE	DDPTYPE	Opens point style dialogue box
LA	LAYER	Opens layer manager
LT	DDLTYPE	Opens line type manager
LTS	LTSCALE	Change the linetype scale
LW	LWEIGHT	Opens line weight settings dialogue box
MA	MATCHPROPERTIES	Match properties of an object
OP	OPTIONS	Launches options dialogue box
OS	DDOSNAP	Opens drafting settings object snap dialogue
PR	DDCHPROP	Opens properties dialogue box
SSM	SHEETSET	Opens sheet set manager palette
ST	DDSTYLE	Opens text style dialogue box
TP	TOOLPALETTES	Displays toolpalette
TS	TABLESTYLE	Opens table style dialogue box

FUNCTION KEYS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
F1	HELP	Opens Autocad help
F2	TEXTSCR	Switches between text screen and graphic area
	GRAPHSCR
F3	OSNAP	Switches osnap on/off
F5 or CTRL+E	ISOPLANE	Cycles through isoplanes
F6 or CTRL+D	COORDS	Turns coordinate display on/off
F7 or CTRL+G	GRID	Turns grid on/off
F8 or CTRL+L	ORTHO	Turns ortho on/off
F9 or CTRL+B	SNAP	Turns snap on/off
F10 or CTRL+U	POLAR	Turns polar on/off
F11 or	OSNAP TRACK	Turns object snap tracking on/off
CTRL+W
F12	DYNMODE	Turns dynamic input on/off

INQUIRY

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
AA	AREA	Calculate the area
DI	DIST	Calculate a distance and angle
DDPTYPE	DDPTYPE	Opens point style dialogue box
ID	ID	Display the co-ordinate values of a point
LI or LS	LIST	Display information about objects in a text window
MASSPROP	MASSPROP	Calculate the region/mass properties of a solid
PR	PROPERTIES	Opens properties dialogue box
WHOHAS	WHOHAS	Displays who has a drawing open
XLIST	XLIST	Lists type/block name/layer name/color/linetype of a
		nested object in a block or an xref

TIP:

1. If you wish to identify a known location use ID and enter coordinates on the command line to mark that location with a node point – if you do not see anything try changing the node properties DDPTYPE.
2. Alternatively set PDMODE to 3 to display an X at id point set PDMODE to 0 to clear.

LAYERS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
LA	LAYER	Opens layer manager
LAYCUR	LAYERCURRENT	Change objects to current layer
LAYDEL	LAYERDELETE	Delete a layer by selecting object
LAYFRZ	LAYERFREEZE	Freeze a layer by selecting object
LAYISO	LAYERISOLATE	Isolates a layer by selecting object
LAYLCK	LAYERLOCK	Lock a layer by selecting object
LAYMCH	LAYERMATCH	Match properties of a layer
LAYMRG	LAYERMERGE	Moves objects from first layer to second and deletes first
LAYOFF	LAYEROFF	Switches a layer off
LAYON	LAYERON	Switches all layers on except frozen layers
LAYERP	LAYERPREVIOUS	Restores previous layer state
LAYTHW	LAYTHW	Thaws all layers
LAYWALK	LAYERWALK	Walk through layers
LMAN	LMAN	Access Layer manager to save and restore layer states

TIP:

1. Layer States – Create a layer state in Layer Manager (LA then Alt+S) to quickly switch between different layer property settings.

MODIFYING OBJECTS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
AL	ALIGN	Align an object with another
AR	ARRAY	Make multiple copies of an object
BR	BREAK	Break a line by defining 2 points
CO or CP	COPY	Copy object
COPYTOLAYER	COPYTOLAYER	Copy object from one layer to another
CHA	CHAMFER	Chamfer between 2 non-parallel lines
E	ERASE	Erase selection
EX	EXTEND	Extend a line to meet another
F	FILLET	Draw an arc between 2 intersecting lines
G	GROUP	Opens object grouping dialogue - use to copy or move
LEN	LENGTHEN	Lengthen or shorten a line
M	MOVE	Move an object
MI	MIRROR	Mirror an object
MOCORO	MOVE/COPY/ROTATE	Copy move and rotate an object with one command
O	OFFSET	Offset an object by distance
RO	ROTATE	Rotate an object
S	STRETCH	Stretch an object
SC	SCALE	Scale an object
TR	TRIM	Trim objects
X	EXPLODE	Explode single entity to component parts

TIP:

1. When a grip point is selected cycle through command options using keyboard spacebar – sequence STRETCH, MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, MIRROR.
2. Switch between Group and Ungroup using CTRL+H, yes H!!

OBJECT SELECTION (use with editing commands)

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
A	ADD	Adds each successive object, switches from remove
ALL	ALL	All objects on thawed layers
CP	CPOLYGON	Objects touching or enclosed by selection polygon
C	CROSSING	Objects touched or enclosed by window - Move right to
		left
F	FENCE	Objects touch by single selection fence
G	GROUP	Opens object grouping dialogue - use with copy/move/etc
L	LAST	Most recently created visible object
P	PREVIOUS	Most recent selection set
R	REMOVE	Objects to remove from selection set
SNAPANG	SNAPANGLE	Change the snap angle from default 0°
W	WINDOW	Objects enclosed by window - Move left to right
WP	WPOLYGON	Objects within a window polygon

TIP:

1. Use SHIFT+LEFT MOUSE BUTTON to deselect an object.
2. When a grip point is selected cycle through command options using keyboard spacebar – sequence STRETCH, MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, MIRROR.
3. Object Cycling – hold down the Control key while picking, AutoCAD will cycle through all the objects that fall under the pick box as you continue to pick. When the correct object is highlighted, simply hit Enter. You don’t need to continue to hold down the Control key after the first pick.

OBJECT SNAP – OSNAP

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
F3	OSNAP	Switches osnap on/off
F9 or CTRL+B	SNAP	Turns snap on/off
F11 or CTRL+W	OSNAP TRACK	Turns object snap tracking on/off
APP	APPARENT INT	Apparent intersection of 2 objects
CEN	CENof	Snap to centre point
DS	DDOSNAP	Opens drafting settings/object snap dialogue
END	ENDPOINT	Snap to end of line etc
EXT	EXTENSION	Extends lines beyond endpoint
FRO	FROM	Snap to an offset distance from an object snap
INS	INSERTION	Snap to insertion point of text or block
INT	INTERSECTION	Snap to intersection of lines, circles, arcs
MID	MIDPOINT	Snap to midpoint of line etc
MTP	Snap midpoint between two points
NEA	NEAREST	Snap near to an object
NOD	NODE	Snap to point node
NON	NONE	Turns off object snap modes
PAR	PARALLEL	Continues a line parallel to existing
PER	PERPENDICULAR	Snap to perpendicular of line etc
QUA	QUADRANT	Snap to quadrant of circle, arc, ellipse
TAN	TANGENT	Snap to tangent of circle, arc, ellipse
TK	TRACK	Locate points without drawing lines
TT	TT	Temporary tracking point

TIP:

1. Use TAB to cycle through Osnap points.
2. SHIFT+RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON to reveal Osnap options

TEXT

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
%%C	Ø	Diameter dimensioning symbol
%%D	°	Degrees symbol
%%O	OVERSCORE	Toggles overscore mode on/off
%%P	±	Plus/minus symbol
%%U	UNDERSCORE	Toggles underscore on/off
DT	DTEXT	Single line dynamic text - Justify/Align to fit within text line
ED	DDEDIT	Edit text
FIND	FIND	Opens find and replace dialogue box
JUSTIFYTEXT	JUSTIFYTEXT	Change the justification point without moving text
MIRRTEXT	MIRRTEXT	Mirrtext 0 to turn off
SCALETEXT	SCALETEXT	Scales text without moving the text insertion point
SPELL	SPELLCHECK	Performs spellcheck - ALL checks all text in drawing
ST	STYLE	Opens text style dialogue box
T or MT	MTEXT	Multiline/paragraph text
TCIRCLE	TCIRCLE	Places circle, slot, or rectangle around each selected text object
TEXT	DTEXT	Single line dynamic text
TEXTFIT	TEXTFIT	Stretches/shrinks text by selecting new start and/or end points
TORIENT	TORIENT	Rotates text, mtext, and attribute definition objects
TXT2MTXT	TXT2MTXT	Converts DTEXT to MTEXT
WIPEOUT	WIPEOUT	Masks part of drawing for clarity

TIPS:

1. To fit or align text in a defined area using DTEXT and select JUSTIFY/ALIGN or FIT – very useful if the text is enclosed by a rectangle/ circle/etc.

NOTES:

1. Text entered in paper space is 1:1, e.g. 5mm high text will print 5mm high.

THREE DIMENSIONAL – 3D

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
3D	3D	Command line 3D solid options
BOX	BOX	Draw a cube
CYLINDER	CYLINDER	Draw a cylinder
DDUCS	DDUCS	Opens ucs dialogue
DDUCSP	DDUCSP	Opens ucs dialogue at orthographic tab
EXT	EXTRUDE	Extrude a face
IN	INTERSECT	Intersect an object
REV	REVOLVE	Revolves an object about an axis
RR	RENDER	Open render dialogue box
SE	SECTION	Section
SL	SLICE	Slice a solid
SU	SUBTRACT	Subtract selection from solid
TOR	TORUS	Draw torus shape
UC	DDUCS	Displays UCS manager dialogue box
UCS	UCS	UCS command line options
UNI	UNION	Union solids
VPORTS	VPORTS	Opens viewport dialogue box
WE	WEDGE	Draw a wedge

UCS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
OB	OBJECT	Align UCS with an object, first select UCS
UC	DDUCS	Display UCS manager dialogue box
UCS	UCS	Universal co-ordinate system options
UCSICON	UCSICON	Change the UCS icon appearance
W	WORLD	Return to the WCS

VIEWPORTS

SHORTCUT	COMMAND	COMMENT
CTRL+R	Cycle through viewports
CTRL+PAGE UP	Switch up between layout tabs
CTRL+PAGE DOWN	Switch down between layout tabs
DV	DVIEW	Perspective view.
MS	MSPACE	Switch to modelspace in a viewport
MV	MVIEW	Make a viewport in paperspace
PS	PSPACE	Switch to paperspace from viewport
VPORTS	VPORTS	Opens viewports dialogue box
-VPORTS	-VPORTS	Create a viewport using command line

TIP:

1. To prevent a viewport from editing right mouse click on the viewport and select DISPLAY LOCKED/YES

Download This Post:

AutoCAD commands: final thoughts

There you have it—an introduction to some of the most useful AutoCAD commands. They really can transform your experience of working with this software and improve overall productivity significantly. Plus, if you reach the level where you’re able to customize the quick access toolbar, you’ll end up with a program tailored to your particular style of work. Mastering the commands is, therefore, one of the best ways to get the most out of your investment in AutoCAD.

While our list is fairly comprehensive, should you wish to find more, Autodesk includes a full guide to shortcuts on their website.

I hope this article will help you. You may also want to see my other post from my blog.

If you liked this article, then please help me to share this article to your friends through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or Instagram. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Please let us know what you think about the comment box and Leave a review below-